Colorado Mesa University provides accessible, affordable education with particularly strong outcomes in nursing and construction technology programs that serve regional workforce needs.
The university excels at serving first-generation students and maintaining reasonable costs, though students should choose programs carefully as earnings vary significantly by field.
Colorado Mesa University is a medium-sized public university in Grand Junction, Colorado, that serves as a solid regional option for students seeking accessible higher education. With nearly 40% of students being first-generation college attendees and 27% receiving Pell Grants, the university maintains a commitment to serving diverse student populations. While overall earnings outcomes place the institution in the lower tier nationally, Colorado Mesa delivers strong results in specific high-demand fields, particularly nursing and construction technology.
The university's approach emphasizes practical, career-oriented education with programs designed to meet regional workforce needs. Students benefit from smaller class sizes typical of medium-sized institutions, and the university's location in western Colorado provides unique opportunities for outdoor recreation and internships in industries like energy and healthcare. Net prices remain reasonable across income levels, making Colorado Mesa an affordable choice for Colorado families.
For students who select the right programs and take advantage of the university's career services, Colorado Mesa University can provide solid preparation for the workforce. The key is understanding that outcomes vary significantly by major choice, with some programs like nursing delivering excellent returns while others show more modest earnings potential.
Colorado Mesa University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a regional comprehensive university serving western Colorado's workforce needs. Nursing stands out as both the largest successful program with 175 graduates and one of the highest-earning, with median salaries of $60,746 that reflect strong demand for healthcare professionals in the region. Construction Engineering Technology, though smaller with 24 graduates, delivers the highest earnings at $63,997, capitalizing on Colorado's construction and energy sectors.
Business Administration and Management represents the university's largest program overall with 172 graduates earning median salaries of $42,682, providing solid preparation for regional business opportunities. However, the program mix also includes fields like General Biology where graduates face more challenging job markets, with median earnings of just $28,105 reflecting the need for additional education or specialized training to achieve higher salaries.
The pattern across Colorado Mesa's programs emphasizes the importance of choosing fields with clear career pathways and strong regional demand. Students who select the university's strongest programs in healthcare, construction, and business can achieve solid returns on their investment, while those in more general academic fields may need to pursue additional education or be prepared for more modest initial earnings in the regional job market.
Colorado Mesa University graduates earn a median of $45,823 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution below national averages for long-term earnings outcomes. However, this overall figure masks significant variation by program choice. Nursing graduates, who represent the largest successful program with 175 graduates, earn a strong median of $60,746 and drive much of the university's positive return on investment. Construction Engineering Technology graduates achieve even higher earnings at $63,997, though this program is smaller with 24 graduates.
The university's program mix creates a wide earnings range depending on student choices. Business Administration and Management, the second-largest program with 172 graduates, produces median earnings of $42,682, which aligns with regional business opportunities. However, programs like General Biology show much lower earnings at $28,105, reflecting the challenges graduates face in finding well-paying positions without additional education or specialized training.
Students who choose Colorado Mesa's strongest programs can achieve solid financial outcomes, but the university's overall earnings performance reflects the reality that many graduates enter fields with modest pay scales. The key for prospective students is selecting programs with clear career pathways and strong regional demand, particularly in healthcare, construction, and business fields where the university has established employer relationships.
Colorado Mesa University offers reasonable affordability across income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of Colorado families. Low-income students pay approximately $11,547 annually in net price, while middle-income families face costs around $15,061 per year. Even high-income families see manageable net prices of $20,288, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education costs reasonable for state residents.
Debt levels at Colorado Mesa are moderate and generally manageable given the regional cost of living in western Colorado. Typical graduates leave with about $22,000 in federal student loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $14,880. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations despite the modest earnings levels in some programs.
The combination of reasonable net prices and manageable debt loads makes Colorado Mesa a financially sustainable choice for many students. While earnings vary by program, the university's affordability structure ensures that students aren't taking on excessive debt relative to their likely post-graduation income, particularly important given the regional job market and cost of living in western Colorado.
Colorado Mesa University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
